Louis Armstrong – New Discoveries

Louis Armstrong – New Discoveries

New Discoveries is a fascinating archival collection devoted to Louis Armstrong, bringing together previously unreleased recordings from across several important periods of his career. Issued by Pumpkin Productions, the album was described by contemporary jazz publication CODA as a significant collection for Armstrong collectors, with material drawn from a variety of sources and none of the performances having previously appeared on record.

The album opens with a selection of Armstrong recordings from the 1930s, beginning with “Dinah”, recorded with Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra in 1937. The following performances include “Flat Foot Floogie” with The Mills Brothers and “Twelfth Street Rag” with Leith Stevens & His Orchestra, demonstrating the remarkable breadth of Armstrong's work during the swing era.

Among the most intriguing tracks are the rehearsal performances of “A Song Was Born” and “Goldwyn Stomp”, recorded in 1947 with a remarkable gathering of jazz and swing musicians including Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Lionel Hampton. These informal rehearsal recordings offer a different perspective on Armstrong's musicianship from the polished studio performances that dominate many of his better-known compilations.

The collection then moves into Armstrong's celebrated 1947 Town Hall concert in New York. The Louis Armstrong Quartet performances of “Cornet Chop Suey”, “Our Monday Date” and “Dear Old Southland” are particularly important, capturing Armstrong in outstanding form. “Tiger Rag” also comes from the same concert, although this performance features a larger ensemble including Jack Teagarden, Peanuts Hucko and Bobby Hackett. The contemporary review singled these recordings out as among the most astonishing discoveries on the LP.

The final section features later material from 1961, including “Duke's Place” and “In A Mellotone”, performances associated with Armstrong's collaborations with Duke Ellington. This gives New Discoveries an unusually broad chronological sweep, moving from Armstrong's 1930s big-band years through the post-war small-group era and into his later All Stars period.

For collectors of Louis Armstrong vinyl, traditional jazz and New Orleans jazz, this is much more than another compilation. Its value lies in the archival performances and the opportunity to hear Armstrong in a number of different settings, including rare rehearsal material and previously unissued live recordings. With performances spanning the 1930s to the 1960s, New Discoveries offers a fascinating alternative to the standard Armstrong greatest-hits collections and is particularly appealing to serious jazz collectors.

Tracklist

Side A

1. Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra – Dinah
2. Louis Armstrong & The Mills Brothers – Flat Foot Floogie
3. Louis Armstrong With Leith Stevens & His Orchestra – Twelfth Street Rag
4. Louis Armstrong – Blue Skies
5. Louis Armstrong – A Song Was Born (Rehearsal)
6. Louis Armstrong – Goldwyn Stomp (Rehearsal)
7. Louis Armstrong – Duke's Place
8. Louis Armstrong – In A Mellotone

Side B

1. The Louis Armstrong Quartet – Cornet Chop Suey
2. The Louis Armstrong Quartet – Our Monday Date
3. The Louis Armstrong Quartet – Dear Old Southland
4. Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars – Big Butter And Egg Man
5. The Louis Armstrong Quartet – Tiger Rag